Removable core cylinder



Dec. 25, 1945- 'r, H. JOHNSTONE REMOVABLE CORE CYLINDER Fild Feb. 5, 1943 2 sheets' sneet 1 INVENTOR \JH orufine BY ATTORNEY i945- T. H. JOHNSTONE 9 REMOVABLE CORE CYLINDER Filed Feb. 5, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 25, $45

REMOVABLE CORE. CYLINDER Theodore H. Johnstone, Detroit; Michgiiassignor:

to The Yale & Towne Manufacturing Com-'- pany, Stamford, Conn, a corporatiorr o--Connecticut Application February: 5, 1943, Serial? Na arene 22 Claims.

This invention relates to a lock mechanism known in the art as a removable core cylinder. A lock mechanism of the particular type may comprise a core housing that is formed with screw threads whereby to be screwed into assembled relation to a lock casing, and with a cam thereon adapted for rotation by a removable cylinder lock core. This cylinder lock core is adapted for insertion into the core housing, and means are provided for retaining it in the core housing and for readily releasing it for removal from said core housing.

The cylinder lock core is generally of the type: having a key plug mounted fOr rotation therein, the key plug being adapted to actuate the cam on the core housing through a connection that is effected when the lock core is inserted into the core housing. Tumblers are provided to lock the key plug relatively to the cylinder portion of the cylinder lock core, and these tumblers are adapted to be set by a key inserted in the keyway of the key plug. My invention relates more particularly to a new and novel means for retaining the cylinder lock core within the core housing, and for effecting its removal from said core housi- An understanding of the more prominent prior art constructions will be helpful in leading to an.

understanding of my invention. In one construction of the prior art, a sleeve is mounted about a portion of the key plug and is adapted for rotation with the key plug when the tumblers are set in a particular position. The movement of the sleeve with the key plug is adapted to move a retainer to and from retaining position. In another construction of the prior art, a retainer is adapted to be moved out of retaining position by rotation of the key plug to a predetermined position by a predetermined key, the key being cut away to permit the said movement of theretainer. The structure of my invention is novel in that it uses unique movable means'wi'thin the cylinder lock core adapted for movement independently of the key plug to effect the withdrawal of the retainer from retaining position. As a feature of my invention, Iutilize a pair of plugs, both of which are mounted in the cylinder lock core, one plug, called the key plug, operating the usual cam mechanism of the core housing, while the other, called the retainer plug, controls the cylinder lock core retaining means.

More particularly, it is a feature of'm'y'invention that the plugs are not movable except when certain tumblers that control the 'plu-gsare set in.

a predetermined position. As a Iurther feature blers effects the release ofthe key plug for rota- 7 tion, or for push pull movement as the casemay" be, while a secondsettingof-the tumblers make's it: possible to move the retainer plug to efiect movement of the retainer out or retaining positionindependently or any-movement of the-key plug.

It is a furtherfeatureof my invention that the retainer plug andkeyplugare controlledthrough the setting of tumblers that lie maligned bores formed in the plugs,-and in the cylinder lock core in which theplugs are mounted.

A further featureresides in that'the' springs. used to project the tumblers are preferably mounted in the bores of the. retainer plug; while the tumblers are actuated by a key a' keyway, formed in the key plug.

As still'a further feature of my invention, the movement of the retainer plug locks the tum-- blers' against movement and therefore locks withinthe-key plug'the'key' used for setting the tumblers. The key'maythen be used quitereadily: to move the entire cylinder lock COYGLOHU of the. core housing.

In the generaldescription of 'myfinveiitiomandl in the more detailed-description-that follows,I; shall; describe my. cylinder .Iock .core .as retained in a core housinglof.tnetypeadapted to beassembled toialcioor. lock. casing. .However the cylinder lock core. of my invention is adapted for assemblyinacore housingthatis part of a night latch cylinder, or part ofia padlockcasingagwill bequite apparent tQ-thOSfiSkilled in the-art. As armatter ozt'vfzama an-v important reason-01: the adoption of the cylinder lock core and housing. combination. incommercial locksi resides' in the adaptability o1 a" cylinder lock. core for mountmg-withinanyone of-aseries of diiierent types or".- look; all; as.--Wi l-lbe fully-appreciated. by those skilled in the art;

While I have thus described myinvention gen era-lly, and have rpointed out certain. important features. of; its construction, additional important features will ber appa-rent upon a; reading of r the specificationthatfollows, and these additional features willhe covered in the claims appended hereto. LIt should also' be" understood that the: conceptionon-which my-invention isibased may readily be embodied in structuresother than those" that I shall herein shovr'and describe, so that the claims to be allowed me should not be limited to the particular apparatus herein set forth.

Referring now to the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a vertical section through a removable core housing and the cylinder lock core therein contained, the particular core housing being of that type adapted to be screwed into assembled relation to a lock plate.

Fig. 2 is a'section taken along lines 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view of the front of the assembly of Fig. 1 with the key removed.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the tumblers positioned so that the retainer plug may be rotated, and with the plug actually rotated.

Fig. 5 is a section taken along lines 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is an exploded view of the parts of my invention, showing also an operating member for the retainer plug.

Fig. 7 is a partial section similar to that of Fig. 4 showing a different form of operating member for the retainer plug mounted on the scalp of the core housing.

Fig. 8 is a section taken along lines 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the core housing of my invention is designated by reference numeral l and has mounted at one end thereof a disc-like member assembled to a cam |2 by a pair of pins l3. The disc II is flanged at H so that it cannot move to the left from its position of Fig. 4 relatively to the core housing I0 and therefore holds the cam 12 securely assembled to the core housing. A spring washer l may be placed between the cam l2 and the end surface of the core housing l0 so as to take up any play between the parts, all as will be appreciated.

The pins |3 extend endwise into an opening IS in the core housing III as is probably best seen in Fig. 6, and are adapted to enter bores I! in a key plug [8 of the cylinder lock core l9, when that cylinder lock core is insertedinto the opening l6 of the core housing l0. Thepurpose of this relationship of the parts is to effect an assembly between the key plug I8 and the'cam |2 through the pins l3 when the cylinder lock core is inserted into the core housing, and to allow for a ready separationof the key plug l8 from the cam |2 when the cylinder lock core is removed from the core housing. I have described the particular parts thus far set forth in order that my invention may be clearly understood, but it will be well to indicate that the parts described are conventional and are not per se part of my invention to be herein claimed.

The key plug l8 already referred to is formed with a key way 2| and is adapted for rotation in the cylinder core l9 when certain tumblers hereinafter to be described are properly positioned by a key within the said keyway 2|. Also mounted within the cylinder lock core l9, and in parallel relation to the key plug I8, is what I term a retainer plug 22. This retainer plug has secured thereto, and extending therefrom, a retainer pin 23 that protrudes through a slot 24 in the cylinder lock core l9 and into a slot 25 in the core housing l0. It is quite obvious that when the pin 23 is in its position of Fig. 2; that is, within the slot 25 of the core housing l0, the cylinder lock core I 9 cannot be withdrawn from the core housing Hi. If the pin 23 is rotated with the retainer plug 22 to the position of Fig. 5, under conditions to be described presently, it is obvious that the cylinder lock core l9 may be withdrawn from the core housing ID. This is of course true because the retainer pin 23 will then be entirely within the slot 24 of the cylinder lock core l9 and en- 5 tirely outside the slot 25 in the core housing 0.

This rotation of the retainer plug is controlled by a series of tumbler pins that are adapted to be set preferably by a key inserted into the keyway 2| of the key plug l8. These tumblers are mounted in a series of aligned bores formed in the retainer plug 22, the cylinder lock core |9, and the key plug IS. The bores in the retainer plug 22 are designated by reference numeral 26, the bores in the cylinder lock core are designated by reference numeral 21, and the bores within the key plug |8 are designated by reference numeral 28. The bores 28 are of course in communication with the keyway 2| so that the lowermost tumblers 29 positioned in the bores 28 may be set by a key K as is clearly illustrated in several of the figures.

The uppermost tumblers extend into the bores 25 of the retainer plug 22 and are designated by reference numeral 30. Tumblers 30 are formed with upper pin portions 3| about which are mounted the compression spring 32 that press against the shoulder portions 33 of the tumblers for urging the tumblers downwardly. Those skilled in the art will of course appreciate that the springs 32 through the tumblers 30, maintain the several tumblers within the aligned bores pressed downwardly against the bitted edge of the key K, the key K being adapted to move the tumblers upwardly to the position of Fig. 1 against the resistance of the several springs 32.

In the particular modification shown, the ends of the springs 32 abut surfaces 34 defining the ends of the several bores 26 of the retainer plug 22. If desired, the bores 26 may extend entirely through the retainer plug 22 to allow for what is termed end loading, that is, insertion of the pins and springs vertically from the top of the cylinder into the aligned bores 26, 21, 28. Those skilled in the art will fully appreciate the significance of this detail and no further emphasis is placed thereon in this application.

In Fig. l, the key K is shown setting the series of tumblers so that a parting line is established between the tumblers along the periphery of the key plug l8. Those skilled in the art will of course appreciate that with the tumblers so set the key plug l8 may be rotated, and through the pin 3 rotate the cam |2. The particular position of the several tumblers is shown also in 55 Fig. 2 in which the key K is shown in section.

In this position of the parts, the upper tumblers do not however present a parting line to the periphery of the retainer plug 22 as will be readily apparent from the drawings, and is therefore 60 impossible to rotate the retainer plu 22. The cylinder lock core I9 is thus securely retained within the core housing In by the retainer pin 23.

If it is desired to remove the cylinder lock core, a special key called a removal or control 65 key must be used. This key is designated by reference numeral K in Figs. 4 and 5. Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, it will be noted that with the key K in the keyway 2|, the tumblers are set to present olid tumbler sections at the line of 7 the periphery of the key plug l8, so that the key plug is not rotatable. The upper tumblers have however been set in Figs. 4 and 5 so as to present a parting line corresponding to the periphery of the retainer plug 22, releasing that retainer plug 75 for rotation from the position of Figs. 1 and 2 acarsae to. the position or. Figs dand- 5'. In: other words, whereas .thekeyK wasbitted to align thetumblerg to release the key plug i8 for rotation, the control-key K" ig'bitted to align the tumblers to release the retainer plugy22 for rotationwhile setting the tumblers to holdthe plug it against rotation For" limiting the rotation-of the retainer plug Hand for retaining: it within thecylinder lock core l;9,.I utilize a pin- 4 heldxintheretainer plug 22 and operating in a slot of the cylinder lock'core i9- defined by end-surfacesil-and 4-2 alias will befully appreciatedfrom the drawings.

In Fig. 2 of the drawings, parallel grooves 43 are shown formed in each of the bores 2l of the cylinder lock core while similar parallel grooves 44 are'shown'formed. in the bores 260i.- the retainer plug 22.. These-grooves are adapted for cooperation with the peculiarly shaped tumbler pins to render it relatively impossible to pick. the-tumblers and surreptitiously release the .retainer plug 22. In the drawings also, a plurality of tumbler parts are shown in the several bores, the'plurality of tumblers being. required for master. keywork, Of course, so far as the present invention is concerned, it is merely necessary to consider that when the tumblers are aligned so as to present aparting; line onthe periphery of the key plug .18, the key plug i3 is free to rotate, and that when the tumblers are aligned to present a parting 'lineto'the periphery of the retainer plug 22, the retainer plugv is free to rotate tothe release position of Figs. 4 andb.

At'the front of the cylinder lock core is I mount a decorative scalp 45 that is maintained 35:

assembled to the cylinder lock core i9' by screws 48, there being one screw at each side of the core, a screw 46 at one side being, well shown in Fig.. 6.

The front end of the retainer plug 22 extends outwardly of the scalp 45 and is formed with a tapered periphery serrated as at 41 so that it may be readily rotated by a special tool designated by reference numeral 48 in Fig. 6. This tool has-a. series of lugs 49adapted to enter thecseveral serrations of the end of the'retainerplug as will be readily appreciated.

Figs. land 8 showa modification of my invention in which themeans for rotating the retainer plug 22 are actually held always assembled relatively to the cylinder lock core 19. Thus; inthe' particular modification the end of the retainer plug 22"is inwardly of the scalp 45 and the scalp is slotted at'5llfor the mounting of a pin to the outer side of which is secured a button 52. A'dl'sc 53 is secured tothe pin 5| at the inside of the-scalp 45 and'extending from this disc is a pin 54 that rides within a slot 55 in the end of the retainer plug 22. It is readily seen that if the-retainer plug 22 is released for rotation,..a

downward push on the button 52 wi11, through the pin 54 and the slot 55, effect therotati'on of the retainer plug to the position of Fig; 5:. Thereafter, the button 52 may be moved upwardly to rotate the retainer plug 22 to restore the retainer pin 23' to its position of Fig. 2'.

As has'already been indicated, when the retainer plug 22 is released forrotation, the: key

This relationship ofthe parts is very desirable 75 m front face, a key plug movable in said cylinder lock core, a second plug-in said cylinder lock core having its front end accessible for operation at said front face, tumblers mounted for movement'in aligned bores formed in said key plug,

said cylinder lock core and said second plug; said key plug having a 'key way accessible at said frontface through which said tumblers are positioned to release the keyplug and said secondplug for movement relatively to said cylinder Iock' 261 core.

2. In a lock ofthe classdescribed, a-housing, a cylinder lockcore in-said housing havinga front face, a key plug movable in a bore in said cylinder lock core extending inwardly from said front face, a second plug movable in a second bore in said cylinder lock core having its front end accessible for operation at said front face, tumblers mounted for movement in aligned bores formed in said key plug, said cylinder lock core and said second plug to lock said key plug and second plug against movement, said tumblers being adapted to release said key plug and second plug when positioned with their parting lines corresponding to the peripheries of said plugs. 3. In a lock of the class described, ahousing, a cylinder lock core in said housing, a key plug movable in said cylinder lock core, a second plug in said cylinder lock core, tumblers mounted for movement in aligned bores formed in said key plug, said cylinder lock core and said second plug, and said key plug having a key way through which said tumblers are positioned, said tumblers when in one position releasing said key plug for movement in said cylinder lock core and in a second position releasing said second plug for movement relatively to said cylinder lock core.

4. In a lock of the class described, a housing, a cylinder lock core in said housing, a. key plug movable in said'cylinder lock core, a second plug in said cylinder lock core havin a portion extending outwardly of said cylinder lock core for.

manual rotation, tumblers mounted for movement in aligned. bores formed in said key plug,

key plug having a key way through which said tumblers are positioned to release the. key plug and said second plug for movement relatively to saidcylinder lock core and a retainer for retaining said cylinder lock. core in said housing adapted tobe moved to release position when said second plug is moved relatively to said cylinder lock core.

5. In a lock ofthe class described, a housing, a cylinder lock core in said housing, a key plug movable in saidcylinder lock core, asecond'plug in said cylinder lock core, tumblers; mounted. for movement in: bores formed in said key plug, said cylinder lock core and said second plug, said key plug having a key 'way through which saidtumblersare positioned, said tumblers when positioned.

with their parting line. corresponding to the pe.-=-

riphery of the key plug, releasingthe key plug forrotation, saidtumblers when positioned with their parting line corresponding to theperiphery' said cylinder lock core and said second plug, said.

of; the: second; .plugrreleasingthe second; plug for rotation, and a portion of said second plug extending for access at the front end of said cylinder lock core whereby to be manually movable when released by said tumblers.

6. In a lock of the class described, a housing, a cylinder lock core in said housing, a key plug movable in said cylinder lock core, a second plug in said cylinder lock core, tumblers mounted for movement in aligned bores formed in said key plug, said cylinder lock core and said second plug, said key plug having a key way through which said tumblers are positioned to release the key plug and said second plug for movement relatively to said cylinder lock core, and a retainer for retaining said cylinder lock core in said housing adapted for movement out of retaining position through movement of said second plug.

7. In a lock of the class described, a housing, a cylinder lock core in said housing, a key plug movable in said cylinder lock core, a second plug in said cylinder lock core, tumblers mounted for movement in aligned bores formed in said key plug, said cylinder lock core and said second plug, said key plug having a key way through which said tumblers are positioned to release the key plug and said second plug for movement relatively to said cylinder lock core, and a retainer secured to said second plug and extending into coaction with the housing to retain the cylinder lock core in said housing until said second plug is moved to effect the withdrawal of the retainer from coaction with said housing.

8. In a lock of the class described, a housing, a cylinder lock core in said housing, a key plug movable in said cylinder lock core, a second plug in said cylinder lock core, tumblers mounted for movement in aligned bores formed in said key plug, said cylinder lock core and said second plug, said key plug having a key way through which said tumblers are positioned to release the key plug and said second plug for movement relatively to said cylinder lock core, and a retaining pin fixed to said second plug and extending therefrom through a slot in said cylinder lock core into an opening in said housing for retaining said cylinder lock core in said housing, said pin moving with said second plug out of said opening in the housing when said second plug is moved.

9. In a lock of the class described, a housing, a cylinder lock core in said housing, a key plug movable in said cylinder lock core, a second plug in said cylinder lock core, tumblers mounted for movement in aligned bores formed in said key plug, said cylinder lock core and said second plug, said key plug having a key way through which said tumblers are positioned, said tumblers when in one position releasing said key plug from said cylinder lock core and in a second position releasing said second plug for movement relatively to said cylinder lock core, and a retainer for retaining said cylinder lock core in said housing adapted for movement out of retaining position incidental to movement of said second plug.

10. In a lock of the class described, a housing, a cylinder lock core in said housing, a key plug movable in said cylinder lock core, a second plug in said cylinder lock core, tumblers mounted for movement in aligned bores formed in said key plug, said cylinder lock core and said second plug, said key plug having a. key way through which said tumblers are positioned, said tumblers when positioned with their parting line corresponding to the periphery of the key plug releasing the key plug for rotation, said tumblers when positioned with their parting line corresponding to the periphery of the second plug releasing the second plug for rotation, and a retainer'for retaining said cylinder lock core in said housing adapted for movement out of retaining position incidental to movement of said second plug.

11. In a lock of the class described, a housing, a cylinder lock core in said housing, a key plug movable in said cylinder lock core, a second plug in said cylinder lock core, tumblers mounted for movement in aligned bores formed in said key plug, said cylinder lock core and said second plug, said key plug having a key way through which said tumblers are positioned, said tumblers when in one position releasing said key plug from said cylinder lock core and in a second position releasing said second plug for movement relatively to said cylinder lock core, and a retainer secured to said second plug and extending into coaction with. the housing to retain the cylinder lock core in said housing until said secondary plug is moved to withdraw the retainer from coaction with said housing.

12. In a lock of the class described, a housing, a cylinder lock core in said housing, a key plug movable in said cylinder lock core, a second plug in said cylinder lock core, tumblers mounted for movement in aligned bores formed in said key plug, said cylinder lock core and said second plug, said key plug having a key way through which said tumblers are positioned, said tumblers when positioned with their parting line corresponding to the periphery of the key plug releasing the key plug for rotation, said tumblers when positioned with their parting lin corresponding to the pe-' riphery of the second plug releasing the second plug for rotation, a slide piece on the front of said cylinder lock core, means whereby said slide piece rotates said second plug, and a retainer for said cylinder lock core operated through rotation of said second plug,

13. In a lock of the class described, a housing, a cylinder lock core in said housing, a key plug movable in said cylinder lock core, a second plug in said cylinder lock core having a portion extending outside said cylinder lock core for manual rotation, tumblers mounted for movement in aligned bores formed in said key plug, said cylinder lock core and said second plug, said key plug having a key way through which said tumblers are positioned to release the key plug and said second plug for movement relatively to said cylinder lock core, and a retaining pin fixed to said second plug and extending therefrom through a slot in said cylinder lock core into an opening in said housing for retaining said cylinder lock core in said housing, said pin moving with said second plug out of said opening in the housing when said second plug is moved.

14. In a lock of the class described, a housing, a cylinder lock core in said housing, a key plug movably mounted in saidcylinder lock core, a second plug movably mounted in said cylinder lock core for movement independently of said key plug, key set tumblers for locking said plugs until said tumblers are properly positioned as by a key, a retainer for retaining said cylinder lock core in said housing, and means whereby movement of said second plug independently of said key plug effects movement of said retainer out of retaining position to allow withdrawal of said cylinder lock core from said housing.

15. In a lock of the class described, a housing, a cylinder lock core in said housing, a key plug in said cylinder lock core, a second plug mounted in'said cylinder lock core, key set tumblers in said a second cylindrical plug rotatably mounted in said cylinder lock core, key set tumblers for locking said plugs until said tumblers are properly positioned as by a key and a retainer secured to said second plug and extending into coaction with the housing to retain the cylinder lock core in said housing until said second plug is moved to withdraw the retainer from coaction with said housing.

17. In a lock of the class described, a housing,

a cylinder lock core in said housing, a key plug in said cylinder lock core, a second plug mounted in said cylinder lock core, key set tumblers in said plugs for controlling the rotation of said plugs, and a retainer secured to said second plug and extending into coaction with the housing to retain the cylinder lock core in said housing until said second plugis moved to withdraw the retainer from coaction with said housing.

18. In a lock of the class described, a housing, a cylinder lock core in said housing, a key plug in said cylinder lock core, a second plug mounted for rotation in said cylinder lock core having a portion extending outwardly of said cylinder lock core for manual rotation, key set tumblers for locking said plugs until said tumblers are properly positioned as by a key and a retainin pin fixed to said second plug and extending therefrom into an opening in said housing for retaining said cylinder lock core in said housing, said pin moving with said second plug out of said opening in the housing when said second plug is moved.

19. In a lock of the class described, a housing, a cylinder lock core in said housing, a key plug rotatable in said cylinder lock core, a second plug rotatable in said cylinder lock core, a series of aligned tumbler bores formed in said key plug, said cylinder lock core and said second plug, tumblers in said aligned bores for controlling the rotation of said plugs, said key plug having a key way in communication with ends of the aligned bores therein for setting the tumblers in said bores by a key in said key way, and springs mounted in the bores of said second plug for projecting the tumblers in said aligned bores against the key in said key way.

20. In a lock of the class described, a housing, a cylinder lock core in said housing, a key plug movable in said cylinder lock core, a second plug movable in said cylinder lock core, tumblers for controlling the movement of said plugs, said key plug having a key way through which said tumblers are positioned to release the key plug and said second plug for movement relatively to said cylinder lock core, and a retainer for retaining said cylinder lock core in said housing adapted for movement out of retaining position through movement of said second plug.

21. In a lock of the class described, a housing, a cylinder lock core in said housin a key plug movable in said cylinder lock core, a second plug movable in said cylinder lock core, tumblers for controlling the movement of said plugs, said key plug having a key way through which said tumblers are positioned to release the key plug and said second plug for movement relatively to said cylinder lock core, a portion of said second plug extending for access at the front end of said cylinder lock core whereby to be manually movable when released by said tumblers, and a retainer for retaining said cylinder lock core in said housing adapted for movement out of retaining position through movement of said second plug.

22. In a lock of the class described, a housing, a cylinder lock core in said housing, a key plug movable in said cylinder lock core, a second plug in said cylinder lock core, tumblers mounted for movement in aligned openings formed in said key plug, said cylinder lock core and said second plug, and said key plug having a keyway through which said tumblers are set in one position to release the key plug, and in a second position to release said second plug for movement relatively to said cylinder lock core while locking said key plug against rotation.

THEODORE H. JOHNSTONE. 

